Housing Minister Iván Poduje announced a construction schedule on Wednesday for the El Olivar sector in Viña del Mar, promising to complete 800 homes between June and December of this year.
Poduje presented the Gantt chart to more than 100 residents at the Tamarugal sports field. The plan aims to provide permanent housing for families who have remained displaced for over two years following the region's 2024 megafire.
“From June to December, we have to have the houses built,” Poduje told La Radio after the meeting. The minister confirmed the timeline includes those currently without assigned projects and individuals previously designated as ineligible.
Despite the specific timeline, many residents expressed skepticism. Having waited years for definitive housing solutions, some survivors remain cautious about the government’s ability to meet the deadline.
“The idea is to return to our home hopefully in December as he says, and that it doesn't stay just as words,” one resident noted. “We have waited two, three years; it is a lot already.”
Uncertainty remains for defective builds
While the construction schedule moves forward, the status of 52 homes allegedly built with structural defects by San Sebastián Limitada remains unresolved. The Ministry is currently awaiting a final report from the University of Chile’s IDIEM research center.
René Flores, a leader of the El Olivar Crisis Committee, said the government expects the findings within three weeks. The report will determine whether the structures can be reinforced or if they must be demolished.
“If the houses can be reinforced, we would accept that route; if not, we would have to begin the demolition as is appropriate,” Flores said.
To expedite the process and improve communication, the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism (MINVU) will deploy specialized field teams starting next week. These crews will be stationed throughout El Olivar to address resident concerns and process necessary documentation directly within the community.
